Against All Odds

by E. L. Todd

  Heath smiled and didn’t mind her affection. “That sounds great.”

  After we went into the house and washed up, we sat at the table. Mom poured the servings onto our plates, and then asked us about our trip and our research. Heath was quiet most of the time, but added a few comments when I wasn’t talking.

  “What part of Ireland are you from?” Dad asked.

  “Cork,” Heath answered. “By the way, when you have time, you should teach your son a few things about Ireland.” He smiled and tried not to laugh.

  I rolled my eyes. “It’s not like I’ve ever been to Ireland.”

  “But you graduated from Harvard,” Heath argued.

  “No, I dropped out. Remember?” I argued.

  “You still possessed the ignorance of a five-year old,” Heath said.

  “What did my son do now?” Mom asked with a sigh.

  “Well, for one, he didn’t know Irish people spoke English,” Heath said. “He thought we spoke Irish.”

  Dad covered his face in embarrassment.

  “And he thought we worshipped leprechauns as our gods,” Heath said.

  “Then why are you guys so obsessed with them?” I demanded.

  “I apologize on behalf of my son,” Mom said. “He’s never been culturally educated.”

  “You don’t say?” Heath said sarcastically.

  Dad gave me an embarrassed look. “Good thing Skye wants the company and you don’t.”

  “Oh, whatever,” I said. “I could be the best CEO the world has ever seen if I wanted to.”

  “I’ll believe it when I see it,” Dad said.

  Mom picked at her carrots then looked at Heath. “How long have you been in New York?”

  “A few years—about three.”

  “You like it?”

  “It’s much different from my sheep farm in Cork, but it has its own beauty,” Heath answered.

  “And what brought you here?” Dad asked.

  “Well, I needed work, but I also came here because of a relationship…which didn’t work out.” A twinge of sadness was in his voice.

  “Sorry to hear that,” Dad said.

  “You know what they say,” Heath said. “Time heals all wounds.”

  “Do you have any family here?” Dad asked.

  “No, just me,” Heath said. “I got a few friends to keep me company and spend the holidays with.”

  “Well, you’re welcome here if you ever want to visit,” Mom offered. “And he won’t…insult your country.” She shot me a disapproving look.

  “I’m never going to live this down, am I?” I asked.

  “No,” Dad said without hesitation. He turned back to Heath. “Thanks for being a mentor to my son. He loves his job so far.”

  “Roland is a very accomplished writer. He naturally connects ideas and exemplifies them with his voice of word. His transitions can make even the most sporadic thoughts flow, and he has a special talent of writing with an intelligent voice. He’s edited a few of my articles, and changed them from being mediocre to amazing. My boss has noticed the change in my work. Of course, I told her it was because of Roland.”

  Both of my parents shot me looks of pride.

  I looked down at my food, feeling embarrassed.

  Heath patted my back. “Never go into foreign relations,” he joked. “Stick to writing.”

  Both of my parents laughed.

  “I think he’s found his calling,” Mom said as she gave me a glowing look of affection.

  “Yeah,” Dad said. “I think he has.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Trinity

  I hadn’t slept the night before because I was so nervous about my first day of work. Vogue magazine was one of the most celebrated fashion magazines of the world, and I actually got to be a part of it. Would I be liked? Would I be hated? I just hoped I could keep up with everything.

  After I got ready, Mom had breakfast on the table. “You need to eat before your big day.”

  I looked at the French toast, eggs, and bacon and only felt nauseated. “I really don’t think I can eat anything…”

  “How about some coffee?” Mom pressed.

  I shook my head. “No. I can’t keep that down either.”

  Dad patted me on the shoulder. “You’ll be fine, sweetheart.”

  “Were you this nervous your first day of work?” I asked.

  “No,” he answered. “I know I have a lot to offer. And so do you.”

  “Maybe this will cheer you up.” Mom picked up an arrangement of yellow flowers and handed them to me.

  “They are beautiful. Thank you, Mom.”

  “They aren’t from me,” she said. “Slade stopped by. He left a card too.”

  My heart thudded deep in my chest, and my fingertips tingled. “He did…?”

  “Yep.” Mom flashed me a smile before she returned to the dishes.

  I opened the card and read it.

  My fine, hot-piece of ass, sexy lady,

  You’ll do great today. And if you don’t, you can always do porn.

  Your man,

  Slade

  “What did he say?” Dad asked.

  I folded the note quickly so he wouldn’t see it. “Just wanted to wish me luck.”

  ***

  After I checked in at the front, I took the elevator to the top floor. Once I stepped out, I had no idea what to do. People were wheeling carts with dresses through the hallways, others were chattering on their cell phones like a nuclear bomb was about to hit the earth, and everyone was dressed to impress.

  I wore red skinny jeans with a black top and matching heels. My hair was styled, and I did my best to look like I belonged in the fashion world. It must have worked because no one paid any attention to me.

  I wondered the hallways and tried to figure out what I should do. “Excuse me?”

  A guy with glasses looked at me like I was a pile of puke he found on the sidewalk. Then he kept going.

  “Okay…”

  I wandered until I found the wardrobe department. I was certain this was where I was supposed to be working.

  A young brunette was staring at a dress being held by a young man. Two minutes passed and all she did was stare.

  I kept my silence, not wanting to speak at the wrong time.

  “It’s garbage,” she said as she waved her hand. “Toss it.”

  The man walked away with the dress in his hands.

  “Um, excuse me?”

  She turned to me with annoyance in her eyes. “What?”

  “I’m Trinity, the new intern…” I stepped forward and extended my hand.

  She stepped back like I slapped her. “You’re late.”

  I looked at the clock. “I’m an hour early…”

  She eyed me up and down. “Where did you get those jeans?”

  I knew this was a test. “I made them.”

  “Made them?” she asked incredulously.

  “I found the jean material and sowed it. Then I dyed it.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest then looked me over. “What’s your name again?”

  “Trinity.”

  “I prefer Trin,” she said.

  “And you are…?”

  “Galaxy.”

  Galaxy? And people said my name was weird… “It’s nice to meet you, Galaxy.”

  “Yeah, whatever.”

  Wow, she was a peach.

  “This is how we do it here. You’ll do what I say when I say it. Got me?”

  “Yes,” I answered.

  “We’re the wardrobe department. We create the clothes based on Chantal’s preference. The models try it on, and then we fit the clothes. If everything goes according to plan, our job is done until the next release. You follow me?”

  “Yes,” I answered.

  “I’ve never had an intern before. They are usually on the bottom floor picking up trash and getting coffee. Never in my thirteen years of working here has someone slipped through the cracks so easily. You must have powe
rful connections.” She stared me down like she just asked me a question.

  “I do,” I admitted.

  “Well, that doesn’t mean shit to me. If you’re dead weight, I’ll throw you out in a heartbeat.”

  “I understand.”

  “Let’s hope that’s true.”

  ***

  I tried to stay out of Galaxy’s way as much as possible, but at the same time I tried to be involved. When she sketched her ideas, I stood back and watched. She never turned to me and asked for my opinion. And I never gave it.

  After she finished that part, she began to construct whatever she was making. I stood by her side in case she needed me, but I never made a move because I didn’t want to be presumptuous.

  “Hold this.” She shoved a box of pins into my hand.

  I held it with my fingers outstretched. She snatched them as she went and pinned the dress on the model. She was using red fabric to construct an evening gown. I watched her work while my own ideas came to my head.

  She stepped back and put her hands on her hips, staring at it.

  “What if it had one strap?” I asked.

  She gave me the death look. “Why one?”

  “It’s elegant and shows skin at the same time,” I said. “Since it’s an evening gown and it’s long, at least that will give it an organic element.”

  “Let’s get this straight,” she snapped. “I’m the designer. You aren’t.”

  “I’m just trying to help,” I said quietly.

  “Well, don’t,” she hissed.

  The guy who held the original dress came back inside. “You have anything for me?” He didn’t introduce himself or look at me.

  “Not yet…” She put her hands on her hips while she examined her work.

  The guy stood next to her and looked at it. “Ballroom?”

  She nodded.

  “I like it,” he said.

  “Of course,” she said. “Everything I make is great.”

  “But I think it would look better with a single strap. It’s too…medieval.”

  My heart accelerated and I tried not to smile.

  She gave him the same look of death she gave me. “Get out.”

  He must be used to her hostility because he didn’t react. He turned around and left without another word.

  She strutted to her desk while her heels echoed on the hardwood floor. “I’m taking lunch.”

  It was only ten in the morning. “Okay.”

  She dumped her coffee on the floor. “Clean that up. It’ll give you something to do.” Then she walked off and didn’t look back.

  I ground my teeth together to stop myself from telling this bitch off. After I took a few deep breaths, I found cleaning supplies then soaked the coffee from the ground. A hand holding a paper towel came into my vision.

  “She’s easily threatened.” It was the same guy as before. He cleaned up the coffee without looking at me.

  “You don’t say…”

  He chuckled. “Don’t take it personally. She’s been here for a long time, and she’s been trying to get promoted to the next assistant editor. Five years ago, she thought it would be her, but some girl from the photo department got it. She’s been…moody ever since.”

  “Well, I’m not going for that position so she can chill out.”

  He chuckled. “As far as she’s concerned, unless she knows your motive you’re a threat. And the fact you go this exclusive paid internship didn’t ruffle her feathers in the right way.”

  My internship was paid? That was news to me. “That doesn’t give her the right to be a brat.”

  “You want my advice?”

  “I guess.”

  “Kill her with kindness. When everyone else at the office loves you and sees her treat her treat you like garbage, they’ll turn on her. Then you can sit from the sidelines and watch.”

  “You sound like you know a thing or two…”

  “I have a lot of experience in office politics,” he said. “And working with mostly women only makes it more complicated.” He added a light laugh.

  “Thanks for the advice…?”

  “Jeremy,” he said. “My name is Jeremy.”

  “Well, I’m glad I met someone friendly today.”

  “There are other friendly people here. You’ll see.” He tossed the paper towels in the trash. “What’s your name?”

  “Trinity. But according to Galaxy, my name is Trin.”

  “I prefer Trinity,” he said. “I’ll call you that.”

  “Cool.” I was grateful he was being nice to me. My first day at work wasn’t so bad after all.

  “You want to see the outfits for the shoot?” he asked. “I’m in charge or organizing it.”

  “Totally!”

  He smiled at my enthusiasm. “Let’s go.”

  ***

  “What size is this?” I asked as I felt the dress in my hands. “A double zero?”

  “Triple, actually.”

  “This place makes me feel like a cow.”

  “Why?” he asked. “You have the stuff of a model.”

  I laughed and a snort came out.

  “I’m being serious,” he said. “I work with models all the time. You have the bone structure, the weight, and the height of a perfect model. You give most supermodels a run for their money.”

  I ignored his comment then looked at coat on the rack. “This is cute.”

  “Vera Wang,” he answered.

  “Do you guys take stuff home?”

  “When the season is over,” he said. “All the stuff we don’t want goes to department stores.”

  “That’s cool,” I said.

  “I try to get the suits since they are expensive. And they look the same all year round.”

  “That’s a nice deal.” I examined the rest of the clothes, liking most of the ensembles.

  Jeremy sat in a chair and watched me. “What’s your goal in working here?”

  Jeremy was nice, and he seemed like an honest person, but I couldn’t help but wonder if he wanted something from me. He was probably threatened by me just like Galaxy, but he went about it in a smarter way. He got to know his enemy instead of pushing them away. “I just want experience. I’ve loved fashion since I can remember. I’ll do anything to be around it, even clean coffee off the ground.”

  “That’s cool,” he said.

  “What are your goals?”

  “I want to be the lead photographer,” he answered. “I graduated a few years ago and I’ve been the assistant ever since. I hope I’ll be promoted eventually.”

  “I can’t imagine who else they’d give the position too.”

  He watched me with intelligent eyes. “When it comes to this business, it’s not about how well you do your job. All that matters is how much you’re liked. I suggest your start making friends if you want to go anywhere.”

  I wasn’t sure if I should tell them my plans to open up my own fashion line. They might see me as an outcast, someone who was just trying to steal their secrets. I decided to keep it to myself.

  He looked at the clock. “Want to take lunch?”

  My stomach rumbled. “I’m not sure if I can.”

  Just then, Galaxy stormed into the room. “What the hell are you doing?” Her hands were on her hips and she looked at me like she might murder me on the spot.

  “I was showing her around,” Jeremy answered.

  She ignored him. “You’re my intern, not his. Get your ass in here!”

  I wanted to slap this bitch but I held my tongue. “My apologies.”

  She marched back to her office.

  Jeremy gave me a sad smile. “Just keep your head down.”

  “Thanks…”

  ***

  When I got off work, I checked my phone.

  I had several messages from Slade, asking if I wanted to have lunch. Since I didn’t’ take one, I never had the chance to respond. I’m sure he figured that out. Just as I was about to type a message, my dad called.

>   “Hi,” I answered.

  “Hey, sweetheart. How was work?”

  “Eh,” I said with a shrug.

  “Well, you probably ate lunch a few hours ago, but you want to grab a bite to celebrate your first day.”

  My stomach rumbled. I wouldn’t be able to wait to eat until dinner. “That sounds great.”

  “Where do you want to go?”

  I was too hungry to care. “Mega Shake,” I blurted.

  “Okay,” he said. “I’ll meet you there.”

  ***

  After we ordered our food and sat down, I shoveled everything into my mouth like a baboon.

  Dad watched me with amusement in his eyes. “Hungry?”

  “I didn’t take lunch,” I explained with a mouthful of fries.

  “Any reason why?” he asked.

  “Too busy,” I said. “And I doubt my boss would have let me.”

  He picked at his food while he watched me. He wore a black jacket over his suit and tie. His silver watched reflected the light from the diner, and his wedding band was the same color. He took up most of the booth with his immaculate size. He was definitely someone I wouldn’t want to piss off if I didn’t know him. “I’m guessing your first day wasn’t too good?”

  “No,” I blurted. I launched into an account.

  His jaw was clenched in annoyance. “I’ll take care of it.”

  My heart stopped beating. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “I’ll make sure she doesn’t give you a hard time.”

  Sometimes my dad could be extremely annoying. He wanted to fix all my problems for me all the time. “Dad, let it go. I can deal with her. She’s just…annoying.”

  “And completely unprofessional.”

  “It’s how the real world is. I’ll deal with it and be better off for it.”

  “Or I can teach this girl a lesson…”

  “Dad, I mean it.” I threatened him with my look. “I’ll be pissed off for weeks if you interfere.”

  “Fine,” he said irritably. “I’ll leave you to your own devices.”

  “Thank you.”

  “At least Jeremy was nice to you.”

  “Yeah, he was my savior,” I said with a sigh.

  “Stick with him.”

  “I think I will. Too bad he isn’t my boss…”

  He looked at me with a devilish grin.

  “Don’t even think about it.”

  He sighed in defeat.